I'm reborn and I'm an international student again?

Association of Young Returnees

After finishing the meeting, Chen Xi took a car directly here.

"Hahaha, let's see how you two can beat me!" He had just arrived in front of the president's office when he heard Xu Yun's coquettish laughter coming from inside.

"Hey, what's making you laugh so happily?" Chen Xi pushed open the door and sat down on the sofa with a carefree attitude.

"Of course it's about the last competition!" Xu Yun said, tilting her head back with an arrogant air.

"Miss Xu, look how happy you are!" Chen Xi chuckled.

"Not much, just a hundred million!"

"So many, impressive!" Chen Xi said, glancing at Lin Xi beside him.

The other person remained calm and did not speak.

"Alright, enough nonsense. How much did you two make?" Xu Yun waved her hand.

"Around 80 million!" Linxi leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs.

"Only 80 million? That's less than mine. You lost the first match." Xu Yun continued to mock.

"That's not necessarily true." Linxi smiled and took a file folder from the drawer and tossed it onto the table.

"What, trying to renege on your promise?" Xu Yun frowned upon hearing this.

"Open it and take a look!" Linxi wasn't angry; she pointed to the things on the table.

Xu Yun picked up the file bag with a puzzled look, opened it, and pulled out a few sheets of paper and photos inside.

As she watched, the smile on her face gradually disappeared.

Chen Xi sat on the sofa and leisurely lit a cigarette.

"Where did you get this? Linxi, you bastard, you resort to underhanded tricks when you can't compete!" Xu Yun threw the things in her hand into the air, and the documents and photos flew out, with a few landing at Chen Xi's feet.

“How can this be called being a scoundrel? As a law-abiding citizen, it’s natural to have an obligation to report illegal and criminal activities. However… I can also pretend I didn’t see it,” Linxi said with a smile.

"You're talking nonsense! How did I break the law?"

"According to Chinese law, illegally engaging in fund payment and settlement business or illegally buying and selling foreign exchange, disrupting the financial market order, constitutes the crime of illegal business operations if the circumstances are serious. You just said you made 100 million yuan, which definitely falls under the highest standard of 'extremely serious circumstances.' The minimum sentence is usually five years imprisonment, with a very high probability of a ten-year sentence. Furthermore, the 100 million yuan of illegal gains will be confiscated, and you will face a huge fine of one to five times the amount of the illegal gains..."

Listening to the two arguing, Chen Xi, who was smoking, picked up a few pieces of paper from the ground.

Xu Yun's profits were based on a common money-making strategy used by people from Fujian Province: currency arbitrage. For example, she would take Hong Kong dollars to South Korea to exchange for Japanese yen, then take US dollars back to the mainland to exchange for domestic legal tender, thus making a considerable profit.

Based on the market situation in 2015, 10,000 yuan could yield a profit of around 500 yuan after deducting airfare, hotel, and food expenses. Now, in 2019, the profit would be even greater.

Unlike in China, foreign currency can be exchanged without going through a bank; it can be done directly from automated currency vending machines, although there are daily limits.

Every country's customs have restrictions on the entry and exit of cash. News reports often show people being caught carrying large amounts of currency in their suitcases, which is all related to currency arbitrage.

Some people might wonder, with X-ray machines available now, why would anyone be foolish enough to carry so much money in their suitcase? Wouldn't they be obviously going to get caught?

Actually, what's reported in the news is just something they're deliberately trying to show people. If you didn't arrest any of them, wouldn't that be too fake?
"I didn't earn all of my 100 million from this!" Xu Yun began to argue.

“I know, but how much capital do you need to earn 100 million? Just think about it and you'll realize it's impossible. The rest of your money is from collaborations with Russians and Koreans.” Linxi finished speaking and threw another file folder on the table.

Chen Xi knew what was going on without even looking.

The country of kimchi is very close to Russia and three provinces.

There are many kimchi-loving residents in the three provinces, and most of them can speak the kimchi language.

They receive special treatment in South Korea, where many people are involved in shady businesses.

The situation is similar in Russia. Due to their poor relations with Europe, they have no choice but to go to South Korea to clean up some of their affairs through seemingly legal means.

Both groups have now partnered with Xu Yun; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to earn so much money in such a short time.

"You're despicable and shameless! Who gave you this?" Xu Yun started throwing a tantrum after looking at the item.

"This was naturally provided by some enthusiastic citizens who couldn't stand seeing others break the law," Linxi said with a smug smile.

"Fuck those Chaoyang masses!" Xu Yun's chaotic mind immediately connected the association's location with the news that frequently appeared online about Chaoyang masses reporting this and that.

"Whether you give this away or not is up to you."

"You win, I admit defeat!"

Xu Yun threw what she was holding on the table, said a few words, and left in her high heels.

At this point, only two people remained in the office.

"Chen Xi, do you still want to compete?" Lin Xi asked, looking confident of victory.

He believed he could not possibly lose the latter two competitions.

He controls the association, and no one can compare to him in terms of connecting resources from various countries.

From the perspective of internal voting, the only threat to him is Xu Yun. Because Chen Xi rarely shows his face.

"That depends on you." Chen Xi exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Huh?" Upon hearing this answer, Linxi's face stiffened.

"How do you plan to develop the association in the future? Judging from the attitude shown by the current facilitator, the association may be suppressed. The worst outcome is that it will be reduced to a third-rate association, and the worst outcome is that it will be disqualified."

"Chen Xi, in this era, what makes people like Feng Yun or the Xu family so capable of suddenly transforming into so-called super-rich in just a few years?" Lin Xi fiddled with the lighter in her hand.

"The root cause is simply that they caught the wave and reaped the first wave of benefits from the government's efforts to stabilize the market. This kind of support and luck is a gift from this era. But what about those who are not so lucky, or those ordinary international students from humble backgrounds who are equally outstanding? Are they destined to waste their youth in office buildings, watching these people soar to new heights while they can't even find a crack to climb up?"
"I want to build this association into a truly global hub for fairness. I want every overseas returnee, every student without connections or support, to leverage this association and obtain a ticket to success they would otherwise never have been able to reach. I want to give them an opportunity for rapid growth, an opportunity to succeed even without a 'good father'." Linxi slammed the lighter heavily on the table.

He looked at Chen Xi's indifferent expression and a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"You probably think what I'm saying is naive and ridiculous now, right? After all, you, Young Master Chen, grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth. You simply can't understand the despair of having no way to advance. Back when your father, Chen Yifeng, was a big shot in the business world, Feng Yun was probably still handing out cigarettes in some office building, and the Xu family members were still working odd jobs. You were born at the finish line, and all you see is protecting your interests because you've never experienced true scarcity. Chen Xi, you have no idea how terrible the price ordinary people have to pay to achieve upward mobility in this land. You're talking to me about the future of the association? All you see is the change of power, while I see the survival path of an entire generation." "So, is the current association really fair?" Chen Xi flicked away a long streak of cigarette ash from his fingertips, his gaze sweeping over the pile of scattered photos.

Linxi fell silent.

The office lighting wasn't harsh, but it clearly illuminated the lingering fervor in Linxi's eyes.

"It hasn't been achieved yet. Because in the early stages of realizing lofty ideals, someone has to make sacrifices. That is, what is called... creating more unfairness. This is unavoidable. If we don't create some advantages for the core circle first, the association will be swallowed up by those old guys outside before it can even finish writing the word 'fairness'. This kind of growing pain is the price of evolution. Once the foundation is stable, I will find a way to deal with this mess."

You can think I'm hypocritical, but this is the logic of reality. The reason someone like Feng Yun can sit at the same table as your father is because he also sacrificed a group of people. I think your father was the same way... You should understand that to break a balance, you have to create chaos. In this process, someone always has to be the stepping stone.”

"Okay, I understand. I have a lot of business, so you should continue as the association president." Chen Xi shrugged after hearing this, then stood up.

How much did you earn?

"More than you."

"If you don't want to be the president, why are you participating in the competition?"

"Because I don't want Xu Yun to become it!"

"..."

Watching the man leave, Linxi's lips twitched. All the competitive plans she had prepared were now rendered useless.

Inside the parking lot, Xu Yun was furiously yelling into her phone.

"What exactly happened? How could this way of making money be illegal? Also, I was reported, how did that happen? Why does Linxi have secret information about entering and leaving customs?"

"Oh dear, there are so many illegal things out there. Many are outside the scope of actual regulation, and laws are constantly being updated; every country has different laws. A lot of people in Fujian province do this kind of business, and I haven't seen any problems. As for reporting it, think about it. Those corrupt officials in ancient dramas would keep evidence to protect themselves after taking bribes; customs officials are definitely no exception. We live in the information age; everyone has a computer or a mobile phone. Evidence needs to be stored on devices, right? Look at some celebrities' private photos—they were exposed by computer repairmen, though I don't know the specifics..."

On the other end of the phone, Thomas tried his best to explain.

All those materials were given to Linxi by him, and in his eyes, Xu Yun's usefulness as a fool has now been greatly reduced.

"I don't care, I don't care. I can't be the president anymore. No one will support you anymore. You better come up with a solution quickly."

As Xu Yun spoke, she began to act like a rogue.

"Okay, okay, I got it," Thomas replied dismissively.

The next day, Yongcheng.

The massive recycling plant was not diminished by the new shareholders; on the contrary, the machines roared even more deafeningly.

A long line of heavy trucks carrying goods stretched out outside the factory area, the dust they kicked up swirling in the setting sun.

The number of workers in the workshop has doubled, and the number of managers with middle management titles is now as numerous as carp crossing a river.

These guys, with their beer bellies, just stand next to the conveyor belt and yell at people, giving nonsensical instructions.

Chen Xi knew that these good-for-nothings were all cronies forced in by the new shareholders.

The larger the plate, the more mud is hidden underneath.

On a steel-structured platform in the distance, Yang Qing stood facing the wind.

The woman was still wearing that stiff white shirt and dark fitted suit, her long hair slightly disheveled by the wind.

From the moment they first met, she was always wrapped in this thick shell of elite sophistication. Despite being about the same age, she insisted on putting on an air of being old and decrepit.

Chen Xi glanced down at her casual jacket and sneakers, and gave an indifferent smirk.

If you were to walk down the street, you'd look like a complete loser, while Yang Qing would be the domineering female CEO who has the final say.

Stepping onto the peeling iron stairs, Chen Xi slowly walked up to the platform.

"You've arrived. This is the equity transfer agreement for the Yang family's entire stake in the recycling center. I've transferred half of it to your name." Yang Qing turned around, her eyes sunken, forcing a polite smile onto her tired face.

"What, is the Yang family planning to withdraw completely? Are they going to use the remaining half of their shares to satisfy that person in Beijing's appetite?" Chen Xi's gaze swept over the document.

"Oh, and this too. Could you please make a trip for me and give it to Xiao Dan personally?" Yang Qing didn't object, but simply took out a thick brown paper bag from her handbag and handed it forward.

"You're his own sister, wouldn't you give it to him yourself?"

"No..." Yang Qing's voice was dry, and her wrist, holding the file bag, trembled slightly.

"Is it that you don't have the chance to go, or that you're afraid to see him?"

"I guess you could say that. You and Xiaodan used to have a lot of trouble, but you're still old classmates. He used to be impulsive and immature, but after everything he's been through, he's much more mature now. If you two meet again, you're unlikely to fight again. I'm begging you, please take this to him and tell him to open it by himself." Yang Qing took a deep breath and shoved the brown paper bag into the other person's hand.

"Let me guess, this is probably full of trust funds and overseas property deeds, plus a tearful message. The gist of it is that as long as this kid doesn't get involved in gambling, prostitution, or drugs, the remaining money is enough for him to live comfortably for the rest of his life." Chen Xi tossed the heavy paper bag in his hand.

"Nothing can be hidden from you." A bitter smile appeared on Yang Qing's lips as she lowered her head to avoid eye contact.

"Do you really think it's worth it to take this blame so stubbornly? You weren't involved in the mess the Yang family has made these past few years. Now you're stepping forward to take the fall for Yang Dan's crimes. If you take this burden, you'll be behind bars for at least ten years." Chen Xi stopped being sarcastic, his brows furrowing into a deep frown.

"Don't say anything, Chen Xi. He is, after all, my own brother and the last surviving member of the Yang family. It's only right and proper for his older sister to take this calamity for him." Yang Qing bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes reddening, and she forced back the tears that were about to spill out.

"Fine, I can't persuade you otherwise. I can only respect your choice. Sigh..." Chen Xi wrapped the paper bag tightly and turned to walk towards the stairs.

Halfway there, he stopped and looked back.

The setting sun, like blood, cast a dim, yellowish hue over the entire recycling station.

The wind on the high platform grew stronger, making Yang Qing's thin suit jacket rustle loudly.

She maintained her strong, independent posture, but her bloodshot eyes were already brimming with silent tears.

Chen Xi took a deep breath, her heart suddenly clenched, and she felt inexplicably choked up.

"A scapegoat, a tail cut off to survive; a cold wind on the high platform, youth buried. The whole plate falls in the setting sun; don't ask how much it's worth in ashes." His gaze was lowered, the sarcasm in his tone long gone, leaving only a heavy sense of helplessness. (End of Chapter)